Download How much heat can sport handle?

The
Climate
Institute
Sport & Climate Impacts:
How much heat can sport handle?
•1
SPORT &
CLIMATE IMPACTS:
HOW MUCH HEAT CAN SPORT HANDLE?
WHY + HOW
Sport is embedded in Australians’ lives, community
and economy. And, like many other areas of Australian
life, sport is starting to feel the impacts of climate
change, leading to some adaptations and posing
questions as to whether others are possible.
This report synthesises recent research on the physical
impacts of extreme weather caused by climate change,
and analyses vulnerability and resilience to climate
change among sporting codes, clubs and grounds
across the country.
The goal is to stimulate a broader discussion about
climate change amongst sports professionals and
administrators, and the millions of fans.
WHO
The lead author of this report is Luke Menzies of
The Climate Institute, with support from Kristina
Stefanova, Olivia Kember and John Connor.
Creative direction, design and illustrations by
Eva Kiss. Figure 3 illustration by Bella
Turnbull-Finnegan. Key imagery by Michael Hall.
Thanks to Helen Ester, Dr Liz Hanna and Alvin
Stone for their assistance with this report.
WHERE
Sport & Climate Impacts and associated interactive
content can be accessed at:
www.climateinstitute.org.au
Contents
Foreword02
Executive Summary 03
Economics of Sport 05
Challenging Climate
09
Managing Heat & Health
11
Athletes & Coaches Speak Up 15
Building Greater Resilience19
Hurting Locally22
Conclusion29
ISBN 978-1-921611-33-9
•2
•3
FOREWORD
In my role with the AFL in the last few years, I talked
to many people about a range of issues — and
naturally some of them were closer to my heart than
others. The issues I encountered in the AFL are vast;
they touch people from every conceivable walk
of life. Some resonate on a personal basis more
than others.
As a board member of The Climate Institute, I’m
engaged on an issue that is important in so many
ways. When thinking about how best I could provide
a clear understanding of why I’m involved with the
Institute, first on my mind is how climate change is
impacting us locally and globally. I think about
the fact that climate change is gravely affecting
the way we live and the way our children will live in
decades to come. I think about the effect it’s having
on infrastructure and the future of our economy,
and about the dangerously high global levels of
CO 2 we’re currently faced with.
The science is loud and clear. Our world is warming,
and places like Australia are experiencing ever wilder
weather: more drought, bushfires, and other extreme
weather events.
•1
The Climate Institute has documented in previous
work the impacts of climate on infrastructure and
large sectors like finance and transport.
For this summer – and to mark a year since
Melbourne experienced a severe heatwave while
athletes played multiple-hour tennis matches at
the Australian Open – the Institute is documenting
the impacts of climate change on sport. Summer
and winter sports alike are impacted. Some are
showing resilience, changing their practices
and amending playing grounds. Others will find
adaptation much harder.
Sport, of course, is near and dear to me. So I’m very
pleased to provide the opening words to this report.
I hope that you will find it compelling and consider
the many aspects of our lives that climate change is
altering, in some instances forever. Like in other areas
of our society and economy, we need to act now for
greater resilience in managing unavoidable climate
impacts, but to also call for urgent decarbonisation
of the Australian and global economies to avoid
unmanageable climate impacts. We can’t afford to
stay on the sidelines on this issue.
Andrew Demetriou,
former CEO of the Australian
Football League and Board
Member of The Climate Institute.
•2
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Climate change and extreme weather events threaten
the viability of Australian sport as it’s currently played,
either in the back yard, at local grounds, or in
professional tournaments.
Heatwaves, changed rain patterns, floods, and
drought are challenging playing grounds and facilities
around the country. Continued global warming is
and will have direct impacts on all sports. From local
to professional sport, athletes, spectators, officials
and volunteers are feeling the heat and the very real
impacts of climate change.
Sport is embedded in Australian society, and central
to our culture and economy. Participation in sport
improves mental and physical health, enhances
community cohesion, and contributes significantly
to employment.
The majority of Australians engage in sporting activities
ranging from bush walking to team competition.
Almost two-thirds of Australian children participate
in organised sport outside school. More than 7.5
million Australians attend a sporting event each
year. The sports industry contributes $12.5 billion
to the economy. But sport can’t go on as it has.
•3
HEATWAVES, CHANGED RAIN PATTERNS, FLOODS, AND DROUGHT ARE
CHALLENGING PLAYING GROUNDS AND FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
FROM LOCAL TO PROFESSIONAL SPORT, ATHLETES, SPECTATORS, OFFICIALS
AND VOLUNTEERS ARE FEELING THE HEAT.
Global warming is likened to extreme weather
on steroids. For Australia, already a country of
extremes, that is bad news. Climate change is
making heatwaves more frequent and intense,
increasing high and low rainfall extremes and
worsening droughts, floods, and bushfires. Average
temperatures in Australia have warmed by about
0.9°C since 1910. Seven of the years since 2002
have been the hottest on record.
This report finds that most sports are struggling to
cope, especially at the local level. Heat policies are
often ambiguous and vary at state, national and
international level, with ambiguity about application.
Duty of care thresholds vary within and across sports
from 32°C to 41°C. By comparison, one of Australia’s
largest unions, the Construction, Forestry, Mining
and Energy Union (CMFEU), is explicit in its heat
policy slogan: “35°C, That’s Enough”.
CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology predict the
number of days over 35°C across the nation will
increase significantly by the end of the century. Hot
days will increase 2.5 times in Adelaide, treble in
Melbourne and Hobart, quadruple in Sydney, be
six times higher in Canberra and 20 times higher in
Brisbane. In Perth, for more than two months out of
a given year, the mercury will soar over 35°C, as it
will for 10 months in Darwin.
The health dangers of extreme heat are well
understood. Most of us maintain a core temperature
around 37°C. Above 38°C becomes uncomfortable,
and with each additional degree health problems
progressively kick in. From 40°C onwards death
becomes more likely. Athletes are at particular risk,
as are vulnerable spectators, especially children
and the elderly.
Recently, athletes, spectators and experts have
begun speaking up about safety and viability of
summer events. During heatwaves, fans at both elite
and community level sport have stayed away.
Rumblings are coming from AFL, rugby, cricket, and
others. In 2014, major tournaments like the tennis
Australian Open and cycling’s Tour Down Under in
South Australia last year illustrated the challenges. There have been some changes in sports facilities. The Melbourne Park precinct, where the Australian
Open is held, will soon have three arenas with
retractable roofs to shade courts and seating areas.
In Queensland adaptations also tackle flooding.
Brisbane experienced two major floods in 2011,
affecting most of the city, including sporting grounds.
Suncorp Stadium, for instance, was covered by 1.5
metres of water. In rebuilding, management took into
account changing weather conditions and included
many flood resistant adaptations.
Like all major developments and infrastructure,
stadiums and other large sporting grounds should
not be constructed or enhanced without clear
consideration of climate risks. Scenarios of short
and long-term climate projections should be taken
into account.
Elite sport may be able to afford some adaptations.
But the ability to respond at local sporting grounds is
more questionable.
Snow sports are also hard hit and their viability
in Australia is significantly threatened. Rising
temperatures have led to a loss of as much as 40
per cent of snow cover since the 1980s. This has
hurt winter tourism in the Australian alps, while many
winter athletes like skiers and snowboarders have
gone overseas to train.
If we continue to fail to tackle the challenge of climate
change, sports and much more will suffer. We have
to act to reduce heat trapping pollution but also
be much more aware of the growing dangers of
unchecked climate change.
•4
ECONOMICS
OF SPORT
Sport is fundamental to Australia’s society, culture
and economy. Participation in sport improves
mental and physical health,1 enhances community
cohesion and well-being, 2 and contributes
significantly to employment. 3
Some 80 per cent of Australians aged 15 and
over engage in sporting activities ranging from
bushwalking to team competition at least once
a year. Almost two-thirds of Australian children
participate in organised sport outside school.4
Watching sport is also very popular: more than
7.5 million Australians attend at least one sporting
event a year.5
Among the major codes in 2013, NRL saw 3.1
million people through the gates, soccer’s A-League
attracted 1.8 million spectators, and cricket
attracted 1.7 million fans over the summer. 6-7
However, the biggest crowds by far are for AFL,
which drew almost 7 million in 2014. 8
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Sport’s popularity has direct economic benefits.
In 2012, the AFL earned $425 million, the Australia
Open about $240 million, Cricket Australia $206
million ($296 million in 2013/14), NRL $136 million
and FFA $95 million.9 The 2014 Tour Down Under is
estimated to have generated about $46 million for the
South Australian economy.10
The visibility and market power of major sporting
tournaments, codes and clubs, and professional
sportspeople, earns millions of dollars. Media
rights, sponsorships and partnerships form a
significant portion of the revenue stream for
professional, as well as local, sporting events,
leagues, clubs and individual athletes.
The forthcoming ICC Cricket World Cup and
AFC Asian Cup, both in 2015, as well as the 2018
Commonwealth Games are expected to boost
the local economies of host cities, as athletes and
spectators visit from across the globe. Cricket
Australia CEO James Sutherland said he expects
the World Cup will bring in at least of $350 million.11
But as sporting events look ahead to more sales
and profits, they also face significant challenges
posed by extreme weather events, like drought,
heatwaves, floods and severe storms.
Sport contributes over $12.5 billion to the economy.12
It employs 75,000 people.13 Sport also contributes to
the economy by making Australians healthier.14 Being
active makes for more productive workers, according
to Frontier Economics, who found that sport in
people’s lives helps boost the GDP by as much as 1
per cent of GDP ($12 billion) per year.15
Each year sport contributes over
$12.5 billion
to the Australian economy
•6
MORE THAN 7.5 MILLION
AUSTRALIANS ATTEND
AT LEAST ONE SPORTING
EVENT A YEAR.
AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS
•7
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CHALLENGING
CLIMATE
The impacts of climate change on sport are farreaching.
Heat directly affects athletic performance and
welfare. Drought and changed rainfall patterns affect
ground surfaces and increase costs. These range
from increased water and energy use to insurance
premiums to cover the increased injury risks of
harder grounds. Extreme rainfall threatens short-term
ground washouts, and more extensive damage to
grounds surfaces, which also impact maintenance
and insurance costs.
Although Australia’s climate is characterised by
great variability, the “land of droughts and flooding
rains” is experiencing greater climate extremes.16
Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent
and intense, high and low rainfall extremes more
frequent and bushfires worse.17 The last few years
have been dominated by these extremes, and
include a series of droughts and flooding rains.18
Average temperatures in Australia have warmed by
about 0.9°C since 1910.19 Seven of the 10 warmest
years on record have occurred since 2002.20
2013 was Australia’s hottest year on record, also
marking the hottest month (January) and hottest day
(January 7).21 2014 was also boiling — the third hottest
on record,22 and it had the hottest spring.23
The frequency of extremely hot days in Australia
has already doubled since 1960.24 By the end of the
century, the number of days in a year over 35°C will
rise significantly across Australia’s major cities, the
Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO have warned.25
Five separate studies in 2014 concluded that
Australia’s climate has shifted and extreme heat
waves are more likely to occur.26-30 Bureau of
•9
BY THE END OF THE CENTURY, THE NUMBER OF DAYS IN A YEAR OVER 35°C
WILL RISE SIGNIFICANTLY ACROSS AUSTRALIA’S MAJOR CITIES. HOT DAYS
WILL INCREASE 2.5 TIMES IN ADELAIDE, TREBLE IN MELBOURNE AND HOBART,
QUADRUPLE IN SYDNEY, BE SIX TIMES HIGHER IN CANBERRA, AND 20 TIMES IN
BRISBANE. IN PERTH, FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OUT OF A GIVEN YEAR,
THE MERCURY WILL SOAR OVER 35°C, AS IT WILL FOR 10 MONTHS IN DARWIN.
CSIRO & BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
Meteorology scientists reported that the frequency
of days above 40°C is rising and record hot days
now out number extremely cold days by more than
two to one.31
Heatwaves rank as Australia’s deadliest natural threat
to human life – causing more deaths since 1890
than bushfires, cyclones, earthquakes, floods and
storms combined. 32 Looking out to 2050, heatrelated deaths across Australia’s capital cities are
predicted to quadruple.33
And it’s not just heat. Rain patterns, snowfall and
ocean swells are also changing.
Southern Australia – where most of us live and play
sport – has seen a significant decline in average
annual rainfall. The projections are for significantly
reduced rainfall in winter and spring. 34
At the same time, in the north, the risk of torrential
downpours and flooding rises with every degree.35
Snowfall has been steadily declining in the alpine
regions of south-east Australia since the 1980s, with
as much as 39 per cent of snow cover lost in the last
decade alone.36
And in unwelcome news for surfers, fewer days
with large waves are expected to occur in eastern
Australia.37
If 0.9°C of warming in Australia has led to this,
the severity of temperature rises beyond this
are hard to grasp.
If the world continues on its current path, global
average temperature will rise by at least 4°C. The
international community is working towards keeping
the rise to below 2°C but it has much to do.
• 10
MANAGING HEAT
& HEALTH
ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST UNIONS
HAS A HEAT POLICY EXPLICIT IN THE
SLOGAN “35°C, THAT’S ENOUGH”.
As heat records were broken throughout Australia in
2014, so too were unprecedented moments marked
in the sports arena. Almost every summer sport
was affected by extreme heat. Athletes, spectators
and experts questioned the logic, safety and longterm viability of scheduling events in the height
of summer.39
The dangers of extreme heat to the human body
are well understood. Humans maintain a core
temperature around 37°C. Above 38°C becomes
uncomfortable, and with each additional degree
health problems progressively kick in. Organ
damage occurs. From 40°C onwards death is
more likely.40
The risk of athletes’ body temperature rising
towards the 40°C limit in extreme heat, even with
moderate humidity is very real. In conditions of
over 40°C, like those experienced during the 2014
Australian Open, it can become an “uncompensable
environment” where it is impossible to lose heat, in
essence overheating the body.41 Irrespective of the
method of measure – whether ambient temperature,
or the established wet bulb globe temperature
(WBGT) which takes into account temperature,
humidity, wind speed and exposure to sunlight – if
body temperatures rise too high the risk of heat
stress, heat stroke and death become a reality.42
It is an employer’s responsibility – whether in the
sports field or any other – to ensure safe working
conditions. See Figure 1.
• 11
Governments across the country have guidelines
for health in hot weather, 43-44 and unions such as
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy
Union (CMFEU) make it clear that this is a matter of
workplace safety. This union’s heat policy is explicit in
the slogan “35°C, That’s Enough”.45
With heatwaves intensifying and becoming more
frequent into the future,46 there is a duty of care for
sports organisations to adapt their heat policies for
future conditions. These should include allowing for
longer breaks, scheduling matches to avoid heat,
and postponing and cancelling events when key duty
of care thresholds are breached.
Heat policies vary significantly among sports and
across different levels of the same sport. Some have
no heat policy at all. But even where heat policies
exist, a consensus is emerging that they are not
sufficient and are not being applied appropriately
or consistently.47 Figure 2 shows differing heat policies
across sporting codes with threshold temperatures
ranging from 32°C to 41°C.
The 2014 Australian Open was an example of
a confused approach to heat policies. Tennis
matches as long as six hours were played despite
temperatures of 41°C for four consecutive days.
Officials deliberated enforcing the WBGT thermal
stress measure, which is the most commonly used
in Australia and the US. They only invoked the policy
mid-afternoon on day three of the heatwave as the
mercury hit 43.3°C.
FIGURE 1
WBGT HEAT STRESS MEASURE EXPLAINED
The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) can be measured
by covering a standard thermometer with a moist cloth and
shading it from sunlight. It is always below the dry bulb
(standard) temperature – and significantly below if the air is dry.
If the WBGT exceeds the skin temperature, it means that heat
removal becomes impossible. When playing sport in extreme
heat, the body undergoes significant stress and at a certain
point cannot recuperate quickly enough to function properly.
48
Following criticism that players suffered “inhumane”
conditions and that the heat policy lacked clearly
defined and understood temperature triggers, the
Australian Open released an updated extreme heat
policy in December 2014.
the objective measurements used to assess heat
stress.55 At the state level there is slightly more clarity,
with explicit recommendations when temperature
exceeds predefined thresholds, especially if children
are involved.56
The new policy provides a framework for the
implementation of the policy – announcing that
the referee’s call to postpone a match will take into
account when the ambient temperature exceeds
40°C and WBGT reading exceeds 32.5, whilst
considering the forecast and state of play. 49
Elite cycling also suffers from an inconsistent
approach to managing heat risks. As the South
Australian State Emergency Service declared an
“extreme heat warning” in the lead up to the 2014
Tour Down Under, and bushfires threatened the
first stage of the race, race director Mike Turtur
told media: “We are governed by [Union Cycliste
International] rules. There is no heat policy at the
UCI.”57
AFL, NRL and A-League coaches and player
assocations have also called for improvements in
their respective leagues’ heat policies after
extreme heat impacted games during 2013, 2014
and 2015 seasons. 50-52
In February 2013, medical staff were on “high alert”
when Port Adelaide and St Kilda locked horns in
38°C in Adelaide.53 The match went on without
triggering the AFL’s heat policy, prompting a call for
action from coaches. Collingwood coach Nathan
Buckley told the press that “there's a duty of care to
the playing group to make sure that we shuffle
things a little bit to make sure players aren't under
undue duress.”54
The AFL’s heat policy relies heavily on the discretion
of officials. Quarters may be shortened, more trainers
may deliver water and more player rotations may be
permitted. However the policy does not outline
The absence of a heat policy under UCI jurisdiction
also contradicts Cycling South Australia’s hot
weather policy – which has clear recommendations
for cancelling and postponing races above 37°C.58
Elite sports must protect the health of their players,
spectators and staff and support teams. They must
also be moral leaders: highlight the increasing health
risks and give the imprimatur to local clubs to install
and follow realistic health policies.
Parents will increasingly demand more objective
tests rather than rely on subjective tests by local
officials. Many of these officials are voluntary and
many not be trained in interpreting heat policies.
• 12
AFL
CRICKET
CYCLING
TENNIS
AFL National Policy
The AFL’s National Extreme Weather Policy59 and
Guidelines for Prevention of Heat Injury 60 say to:
International Cricket
Rules are dictated by the International Cricket
Council (ICC).63 Umpires can allow for extra drinks
intervals in hot conditions. However the ICC is not
explicit on heat.
Tour Down Under
In 2014, race director Mike Turtur told media: “We
are governed by [Union Cycliste International] rules.
There is no heat policy at the UCI.”
Australian Open
The Grand Slam Committee governs the four
major tournaments, the Australian Open, French
Open, Wimbledon and US Open. Significantly, the
Australian Open updated its own heat policy in
December 2014.71
+ Avoid scheduling matches in extreme conditions.
+ In matches already underway, implement more
breaks, shorten games, postponement/delay, and/or
more water delivery to the field.
The measure and fixed triggers of the policy is
not set; it’s left to league officials. The policy gives
responsibilities to players, clubs and medical officers:
+ Players must monitor hydration, notify medical staff
of stress, avoid playing if ill, and apply sunscreen.
+ Clubs must provide cooling aids such as ice vests,
report heat stress, and assign an official to monitor
heat stress during and after matches or training.
+ Medical officers must identify and monitor vulnerable
players’ hydration and performance, weigh players
to manage fluid requirements, manage symptoms of
heat stress and report incidents of heat stress, and
ensure proper medical equipment is on hand.
South Australian National Football League
Policy kicks in if the weather forecast exceeds 32°C,
or conditions reach that temperature.61 The policy
prescribes extra breaks at the 15-minute mark of
each quarter for two minutes following a next
break in play.
At 26-32°C, training hours are cut back and extra
breaks are implemented. At 31-35°C, matches can
be shortened, postponed, or cancelled. Above 36°C,
training and matches are not to be held between
10am-4pm without consultation with the league.
The ICC says that play can be suspended “If at any
time the umpires together agree that the conditions
of ground, weather or light are so bad that there is
obvious and foreseeable risk to the safety of any
player or umpire, so that it would be unreasonable
or dangerous for play to take place, then they shall
immediately suspend play, or not allow play to
commence or to restart. The decision as to whether
conditions are so bad as to warrant such action
is one for the umpires alone to make following
consultation with the ICC Match Referee.” 64
Cricket Australia
Cricket Australia’s rules are also not explicit on heat,
listing only rain in the dangerous or unreasonable
conditions clause. Under extreme heat, umpires can
permit extra water breaks.65
Cycling South Australia
Racing will be cancelled or postponed on any race
day if the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the
Adelaide temperature to be 37°C or higher in the
4:00pm forecast issued the day before, unless it is
clearly stated otherwise on the event information.
Racing may be modified on any race day by the
Chief Commissaire when temperatures are forecast
between 32-37°C, and racing will continue as
normal below 32°C. 68
Cycling Victoria
Under the Victorian policy races are halted at 41°C
and above, races are modified, postponed and
endurance events can be cancelled at 38-40°C.69
Implementation of the policy is at the discretion of
the referee, advised by when ambient temperature
exceeds 40°C and the WBGT reading exceeds
32.5°C, whilst considering the forecast and state
of play.
Matches can be suspended at the end of an even
number of games or completion of a tiebreak.
Tennis Australia
Tennis Australia, the national governing body,
updated its Extreme Weather Policy in September
2014.71 More stringent rules are in place for
matches involving people under 16, or seniors. For
professional adults, the policy activates at the WBGT:
+ At WBGT of 30°C+, extended breaks are given,
and the number of sets in a game is reduced.
The South Australia Cricket Association
Clearly defines extreme heat at temperatures of
37°C+, or 34°C+ for kids in their policy. It provides
for umpires to cancel play, vary the starting time and
length of a match, and increase hydration and rest
breaks under extreme heat.66
+ At WBGT of 34°C+, matches can be suspended
or delayed.
Cricket Victoria
Recommends cancelling play or if continued, for
matches to include hydration breaks every 30-60
minutes. However extreme heat is not specifically
defined.67
AFL Victoria Country
Regional leagues in Victoria have different heat policy
triggers for children, adolescents and adults.62
For forecasts of 34°C+, matches or training
involving kids and adolescents should be
postponed or cancelled. For adults, training
or matches can be rescheduled. But if they
continue, additional shading areas and water is
to be provided, sessions shortened, and more
interchange made between players.
• 13
FIGURE 2
THE CLIMATE INSTITUTE REVIEWED HEAT POLICIES ACROSS SPORTS,
AND FOUND A VAST DIFFERENCE AMONG THEM. EVEN WITHIN A
PARTICULAR SPORT, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POLICIES VARY.
• 14
ATHLETES & COACHES
SPEAK UP
In Australia and around the world, extreme weather
has led to deteriorating conditions at sporting
events in recent years. Athletes, coaches, sports
administrators and commentators have spoken up.
Among the most vocal were Winter Olympians during
the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia, where unusually
warm temperatures led to less snow and hampered
many events. Athletes questioned their safety having
to compete in such conditions.72
US cross country skier Andy Newell led the writing
of a letter, signed by 105 Winter Olympians including
three Australians, which called on world leaders to
take action on climate change and to commit to a
global agreement at the Paris climate talks in 2015.73
The letter called for leaders to “recognize climate
change by reducing emissions, embracing clean
energy and preparing a commitment to a global
agreement at the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change in Paris 2015 ... The urgency ...
is not to be taken lightly since time is definitely
something we do not have on our side.” See Case
Study: Defrosting Snow Sports, page 25.
In Australia, one of the primary concerns has been
the impact of extreme heat.
Last year, in particular, saw a growing chorus of
concern for the players and spectators alike. There
have been changes to practices, and questions
about whether matches should be held at different
times of the year, or day.
Melbourne Storm coach Crag Bellamy called for NRL
bosses to adjust scheduling to “do the right thing by
the players’ welfare” after the Storm’s season opener
in 2013 in 34°C Melbourne sun.
Bellamy said: “It just seems to be the heat is coming
later in the year than it used to. It used to come in
January and February and it's now coming in March
• 15
A ball-girl is assisted from the court after collapsing during the
first round match between Milos Raonic of Canada and Daniel
Gimeno-Traver of Spain during their first round match at the
2014 Australian Open on Jan. 14, 2014. (AP via AAP/Aijaz Rahi)
... It might be something the NRL can have a look
at for the first month of the competition, just playing
night games.” 74
Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards voiced concerns
following Glory’s match with Adelaide United. “Being
asked to play in those conditions is unacceptable;
it ruins the spectacle ... We tried to get the game
changed all week, for player welfare issues ... The
concern for us is literally the players’ welfare because
basically to play in 35 degree heat is dangerous.”75
The club’s bottom line also suffered, with only 8,574
fans passing through the gates, 2,000 less than any
home crowd to that point of the season.76
During the sweltering 2014 Australian Open,
Kazakhstani tennis player Galina Voskoboeva said:
“We were pushing ourselves so hard. It’s not healthy.
Are we going to wait until someone dies on court?”77
Cricket Australia is among the sporting bodies
that have taken steps to address that worry. Lead
Sports dietician Michelle Cort told media last year
that when matches are held under extreme heat, the
players have “to swallow a thermometer pill inside
which monitors core body temperature” as a way of
keeping track how much heat they can handle.78
Alex Rance, Richmond footballer and 2014 AllAustralian centre half-back, talked to The Climate
Institute about playing during the 2014 heatwave.
He said it affected training, recovery time, and game
performance. Rance said he worries about the
sustainability of playing in extreme heat in the longrun, for both players and spectators.
“Especially for finals, that’s when you want to see the
most elite teams play and if it’s going to be affected
by an extreme heat wave … it’s a real balancing act
that the AFL has to play between burning us out and
making the game still good to watch, which obviously
the environment comes into consideration.”
IT LOOKS TERRIBLE FOR THE WHOLE SPORT WHEN PEOPLE ARE COLLAPSING,
BALL KIDS ARE COLLAPSING, PEOPLE IN THE STANDS ARE COLLAPSING. IN
THIS HEAT, THAT’S WHEN YOU’RE REALLY PUSHING YOUR LIMITS AND YOU
DON’T WANT TO SEE ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN TO ANYONE.
ANDY MURRAY
• 16
CASE STUDY:
THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Russia’s Maria Sharapova cools off by pouring water over her head during her women’s singles match against Italy's Karin Knapp on day
four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 16, 2014. (AFP/AAP/Mal Fairclough )
Four consecutive days of temperatures above 41°C
during an already hot summer saw part of the 2014
Australian Open dubbed “hot as hell” by media.79
One of the world’s biggest tennis tournaments,
heavily attended and watched on TV by millions
across the world, became notorious for the
unbearable conditions in which athletes and
spectators found themselves.
Players hallucinated, collapsed, vomited and labelled
the conditions “inhumane”, as matches as long as
six hours were played in sizzling heat. Croatian Ivan
Dodig questioned if he would die on court.80 Jamie
Murray of the UK experienced painful cramps for
several hours after playing.81 A record nine players
retired in the first round.
• 17
Players’ sneakers and water bottles melted. Ball kids
and spectators collapsed, and fans left in droves to
avoid the heat. More than 1,000 fans were treated for
heat exhaustion, mostly on one particularly hot day.82
The heat policy was not implemented until the third
day when heat rose above 41°C, despite players,
officials and commentators expressing concern
about the risk of extreme heat posed to players,
spectators and officials. Once activated, the policy
still required the roofs on both major arenas to remain
open until the completion of a set underway. This
meant that, for instance, Italian Karin Knapp and
Russian superstar Maria Sharapova played for nearly
an hour in unshaded 44°C conditions.
THE RECORD HOT WEATHER EXPERIENCED DURING THE 2014 AUSTRALIAN
OPEN HAS HUMAN FINGERPRINTS ALL OVER IT, SCIENTISTS AT THE UNIVERSITY
OF MELBOURNE CONCLUDED, WITH ODDS OF 100 TO ONE AGAINST.
Frank Dancevic of Canada lies on the court after collapsing during his first round match against Benoit Paire of France as temperatures
topped at 43°C at the Australian Open on January 14, 2014. (AP via AAP/Aijaz Rahi)
Some 643,280 people attended the 2014 Australian
Open,83 down on the 2013 attendance of 684,457.84
During the worst of the heat, daily attendances
fell by 12,000 on Tuesday and 15,000 on Friday.
The Australian Financial Review reported that the
tournament was “set for a large financial loss from
the hot Melbourne weather” as ticket sales plunged
by 10 per cent, even though pre-sales had been up
8.5 per cent on the previous year.85
Meanwhile, major infrastructure systems in
Melbourne buckled, resulting in power losses
and train and tram service cancellations. 86
Over 200 people died, more than double the average
for that time of year. There was a 20-fold increase in
calls to ambulances and most Melbourne hospitals
were at capacity.87
Melbourne is set to host the Australian Open
every January through to the 2030s. Significant
improvements in heat management are urgently
required to keep players and spectators safe,
and the city functioning.
• 18
BUILDING GREATER
RESILIENCE
FIGURE 3
STADIUMS AND OTHER SPORTING GROUNDS AROUND AUSTRALIA ARE MAKING
VARIOUS ADAPTATIONS TO COPE WITH EXTREME WEATHER. THIS GRAPHIC
ILLUSTRATES SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ONES.
Energy efficiency
(for instance LED light bulbs)
Retractable roofs for all
weather play
Integrated water
management and
water storage
Renewable energy
(for instance solar installations)
Operating rooms
and essential
equipment raised
above flood level
Efficiency changes
to heating and
ventilation systems
Synthetic and
warm-season turf
resurfacing
Use of flood resistant
construction materials
If sport is to keep its fan base and continue earning
big profits, arenas and sports grounds across the
nation will have to make adaptations to keep players
and fans safe.
of temporary dressing rooms.88 For four months
the stadium didn’t run at full scale, suffering loss
of income and the looming possibility of larger
insurance premiums.
Various upgrades, from retractable roofs to flood
proofing operating systems, are underway. These
often come with additional programs on energy
efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation,
recycling and waste management. This has
undoubtedly been motivated by cuts to operating
costs as much as by generating environmental
benefits. They are all part of attempts to increase
resilience to extreme weather events and changed
rainfall patterns.
The total repair bill mounted to $16 million.89 Flood
resistant construction materials were used wherever
practical including block walls and elevated
and relocatable fixtures and fittings.90 The main
switchboard was raised above the flood level. Energy
and water efficiency measures were put in place, and
the stadium now cuts carbon emissions by offering
free public transport with ticket sales.91
An enduring image from the 2011 floods in
Queensland was the Suncorp Stadium field covered
by 1.5 metres of the muddy water that engulfed the
city. While the stadium was back up and running
within four weeks, the damage that was done to
the operating systems and equipment meant the
Maroons (rugby league), the Reds (rugby union)
and the Roar (soccer) all won national titles out
• 19
Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast has also made
operational adaptations. The glass edge of the
stadium’s roof is made from high-efficiency solar
panels. In an Australian first, up to 20 per cent of the
stadium’s total electricity needs will be generated by
this solar halo. Metricon also has water tanks with
significant capacity and recycles as much as 75 per
cent of its waste.92
But Melbourne has seen by far the most progressive
changes to its arenas.
The Victorian government is revamping the
Melbourne Park precinct at a tune of $338 million.
One of the first improvements is a new roof to offer
more than 3,200 square metres of shade over and
around three of the courts. The roof was fixed in an
open position in 2014 and will be fully retractable for
the 2015 Australian Open.93
Melbourne Park already has energy efficiency
measures in place. Integrated water harvesting
across the precinct can store 4.5 mega-litres of
water for toilet flushing and irrigation, reducing
the precinct’s water use by 72 per cent.94
Nearby Etihad Stadium has a retractable roof,
ensuring that events can go on regardless of weather
conditions. The roof, the only one of its kind in the
Southern hemisphere, can open or close in eight
minutes. The stadium has also reduced its water
usage by a quarter, by installing 17 rainwater tanks
on its roof.95
Recycling
Waste management
Most recently, the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground
(MCG) partnered with technology giant Siemens AG
to minimise its energy consumption. Set to launch in
May 2015, the project will result in the MCG generating
enough energy savings annually to power 835 houses.
The upgrades include energy efficient lights, a new
building management system; changes to the heating
and ventilation systems; and a new chilled water
system and modernised room control.96
Like all major developments and infrastructure,
stadiums and other large sporting grounds should
not be constructed or enhanced without clear
consideration of climate risks. This should go beyond
assessment of current climate exposure to incorporate
future climate change. Appropriate future climate
scenarios to consider include the internationally
agreed goal of 2°C rise but also, where possible, the
4°C towards which we are heading.
Management strategies for community grounds
and sport fields should also consider these climate
risks, and also incorporate consideration of the
climate scenarios.
• 20
HURTING LOCALLY
During the Millennium Drought of 2006-2009, ovals
and playing grounds across the country dried up
and cracked. Impact injuries increased significantly.
While elite professional venues may be able to afford
expensive upgrades, local grounds will struggle.
There's evidence already of this struggle.
Victoria was particularly hard hit.
In 2007, three quarters of metro and rural AFL
leagues delayed or cut short their season due to
temporary and permanent ground closures. Over
100 community cricket clubs in Geelong were
forced to end their season three months early, and
football pre-seasons were affected by the lack of
available training ovals.97
In nearby Dandenong, 74 sports grounds were
damaged, costing $1.3 million to rehabilitate.
Insurance premiums rose, and some grounds lost
insurability altogether, as was the case for nine
cricket grounds in the City of Moonee Valley.98
IN 2007, MORE THAN HALF OF COMMUNITY
SPORTING LEAGUES IN RURAL VICTORIA
DELAYED OR CUT SHORT THEIR SEASON
DUE TO DROUGHT.
• 21
Water restrictions and rising water costs exposed
1,700 water-intensive clay tennis courts throughout
the state. Local governments trucked in water for
community grounds at significant cost: the city of
Boroondara, for example, spent $550,000 to keep
the grounds watered.99
In response to the sustained hard, dry playing
conditions, the governing bodies of all major
Australian football codes and Cricket Australia
collaborated with a sports insurance company to
develop a new synthetic turf for community fields.
This turf replicates the playing characteristics
of natural grass, and is arguably one of the first
examples of climate change adaptation
in Australian sport.100
Other responses to warmer, drying conditions
include the resurfacing of natural turf grounds
with warmer season grasses, and investments in
water efficiency and water-harvesting infrastructure.
Some of these moves have been supported by
government and council grants.101
Although innovative, some of these adaptations
present new problems. Synthetic grounds, for
instance, are highly reflective of heat, raising
the ambient air temperature. They also require
more upfront capital as they are more expensive
to install, which may be an obstacle if clubs are
already struggling financially.102
• 22
THE ARTIFICIAL TURF PROJECT IS ONE
STEP IN THE BATTLE WITH CLIMATE ISSUES
WHICH IMPACT ON GREEN OPEN SPACE,
WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE SURVIVAL
OF THE GAME.
AFL, 2008
• 23
• 24
CASE STUDY:
DEFROSTING
SNOW SPORTS
Snow sports are particularly vulnerable in a warming
world. Warmer temperatures lead to less snowfall,
with consequences for ski seasons, alpine tourism,
and athletic training.
In Australia, snow conditions have been declining
since the 1980s, with as much as 39 per cent of
snow cover lost in the last decade alone. By 2020
that could rise to 60 per cent, according to a Griffith
University study.104 Other studies predict that ski
slopes could be mostly bare of snow by 2050.105
Alpine resorts make up 2 per cent of Australia's
tourism industry.106 Most of the industry consists of
small businesses, operating in winter. Australia is
set to lose winter tourism worth around $1.8 billion,
employing some 18,000 people.107 The decrease in
snow cover also has a profound impact on spring
and summer water supplies and critical agriculture
areas like the Murray-Darling Basin that depend
on water from the Australian alps catchments for
around 30 per cent of its inflow.108
Overseas, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi,
Russia, marked a new low in snow conditions during
a major sports event. Organisers had stockpiled
three years’ worth of snow, but temperatures above
zero caused constant melting across the courses
and venues, endangering the competitors.
In Sochi, over 100 Olympians – including three
Australians – signed on to a letter penned by
• 25
SOCHI, RUSSIA: TEMPERATURES OF ABOVE ZERO DURING
THE 2014 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES CAUSED CONSTANT
MELTING ACROSS THE COURSES AND VENUES.
US skier Andy Newell calling on world leaders
to address climate change, which they say is
threatening winter sport.109
In an interview with The Climate Institute,110 Newell
said: “Snow conditions are becoming much more
inconsistent, weather patterns more erratic, and what
was once a topic for discussion is now reality and
fact. Our climate is changing and we are losing
our winters.”
The conditions in Sochi were not an anomaly. A
University of Waterloo study found that only six
out of the 19 locations that have hosted the Winter
Olympics since 1924 would have a climate suitable
for hosting them again in the late 21st century.
Among those that would not be suitable were
Sochi and winter favourites like Whistler, Canada.
Snow sport industries have adapted by increasingly
heavy reliance on artificial snowmaking, which
requires significant water and electricity consumption.
As temperatures rise further, snowmaking will
become not only more necessary but also more
expensive, inefficient and ineffective.
Technological and economic thresholds of snowmaking
were reported to be the dominant limit to adaptation
in the Australian winter tourism industry.111
• 26
Q + A:
LYDIA LASSILA
Australian freestyle skier Lydia Lassila, who has
won gold and bronze at the Winter Olympics, was
among the 105 Olympians who petitioned world
leaders to address climate change.
Q: In Sochi, over 100 Olympians signed on to the
letter written by US skier Andy Newell warning
that climate change threatens winter sport and
calling for action from world leaders. Why did
you sign?
Andy’s letter really resonated with me prior to Sochi.
As an athlete, it’s easy to get lost in the preparation
and focus of an approaching Olympic Games but
no one can deny the grim statistics and impacts of
climate change. To think the Winter Olympics may
not exist in years to come is a sad thought. But only
a small piece in the big picture and there is a lot
more at stake, which is why I signed the letter.
Q: In the letter Andy said that “once-consistent
winters” no longer exist in Vermont where he grew
up. Can you comment on your own experiences?
I didn’t grow up skiing in Australia and found winter
sport when I was 17 years old. But since then my
family have enjoyed the benefits of being able to ski
on Australian soil. Australian ski seasons are getting
shorter and more unpredictable and if it continues
down this way, my children, my grandchildren and
their children won’t get to experience snow in the
Aussie alpine regions.
• 27
MT BULLER, VIC, 2010: LYDIA LASSILA ENJOYING RARE
PROPER SNOW CONDITIONS. LIKE MOST AUSTRALIAN
WINTER SPORTS ATHLETES, SHE HAS TRAINED OVERSEAS
SINCE 2009 DUE TO THE UNRELIABLE SNOW CONDITIONS
IN AUSTRALIA.
Q: What do you think are the major impacts of
climate change, as you’ve experienced them?
Even over the last 14 years of my career, I have seen
a shift in pre-season training. It has become more
unpredictable and it keeps getting pushed back later
into the season not leaving much time to prepare for
the World Cup circuit.
We have had to find ‘early snow’ on glaciers over
3,000 metres (which is not an ideal training altitude
for our sport) or in the far north of Finland in order
to guarantee we get the pre-season training in. Less
and less resorts will be able to host an Olympic
Games and it threatens winter sport in general
which affects sporting cultures particularly in
the northern hemisphere.
Q: What do shorter seasons and less predictable
conditions mean for you and other skiers and
snowboarders in Australia?
Our seasons are too short to get adequate amount
of on-snow training. Given the unpredictable nature
of our Aussie winter, many Australian athletes already
train predominately at overseas facilities or resorts.
Although I would like to train on home soil, I haven’t
been able to since 2009 due to inconsistency of
the conditions.
• 28
CONCLUSION
Among developed countries, Australia is the most
vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These
are already felt across many aspects of Australian
society, and their severity will increase. Sport, as a
key part of Australian life, and a major contributor
to economic activity, will need to adapt to this reality.
Without urgent climate action there will be limits to
the adaptation.
reviewed to meet a higher duty of care, especially for
more vulnerable groups like children and seniors.
As this report documents, many sporting bodies
are beginning to change in a wide variety of ways
and with varying effectiveness. Many sports bodies
have responded to past experiences of extreme
heat, drought and flooding by reducing their
exposure to these risks. However, it is less clear
that these responses are being done with a
clear understanding of future climate change.
The future holds questions around the viability of
outdoor summer sport as we know it, and whether
major international tournaments should be moved
to different seasons of the year, at great disruption
for host cities and organisers. Winter sports are
perhaps the most vulnerable, as fewer parts of the
world will sustain conditions allowing for sports
like skiing, snowboarding and others in a world
that is getting hotter.
To ensure that investments in dealing with extreme
weather are sufficient to cope with climate change,
the management of sports infrastructure and
operations should incorporate climate change
projections. Tools are being created to facilitate
prediction of climate conditions in specific areas,
such as the NSW Department of Environment’s
recently launched Adapt NSW tool, which gives
local projections through 2070.112
However, even in the short term there are clearly
shortcomings in the ways that some sports manage
climate risks. Policies for dealing with extreme heat
are variable and often inadequate. These need to be
• 29
Some adaptations, although expensive, are
possible for elite sporting leagues that have deep
pockets and community reach. But community
programs – some of which are already struggling –
will only become harder to sustain.
Sport is an important enabler of our wellbeing and a
key entertainment or pastime for our nation. If more
than 80 per cent of the nation is involved in sport at
least recreationally, then it is an element of life to be
preserved for future generations.
All – from professional players and their management,
to spectators and commentators – need to be aware
of the risks posed by climate change to sport.
To manage the risks, we all, including political and
business leaders, need to be off the bench and on
the field with our best efforts.
• 30
NOTES
1 VicHealth, ‘Encouraging regular physical activity’, http://www.
vichealth.vic.gov.au/our-work/encouraging-regular-physical-activity
2 NSW Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation, Sport and
recreation and community building, June, 2008, http://www.dsr.
nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/industry/study_communitybuilding.pdf
3 Australian Sports Commission, The future of Australian sport,
2013, http://www.ausport.gov.au/information/nsr/the_future_of_
australian_sport/reports
4Ibid.
5 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Value of Sport, Australia, 2013,
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4156.0.55.002
6 B. Stewart, ‘Why AFL grand final is the most successful event
in Australia’, The Conversation, September 26, 2014, http://
theconversation.com/why-afl-grand-final-is-the-most-successfulevent-in-australia-31984
7 Cricket Australia, Annual Report 2013-14, 2014, http://www.
cricketaustralia.com.au/about/annual-report
8 Footywire, ‘2014 AFL Attendance’, http://www.footywire.com/afl/
footy/attendances
9 Stewart, Op. Cit.
10 Santos Tour Down Under, ‘Frequently Asked Questions’, http://
www.tourdownunder.com.au/frequently-asked-questions.htm
11 L. Evans, ‘Cricket Australia sets the field for a lucrative summer
of sport’, The Australian, November 21, 2014, http://www.
theaustralian.com.au/business/the-deal-magazine/cricketaustralia-sets-the-field-for-a-lucrative-summer-of-sport/storye6frgabx-1227127294532
12 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Op Cit.
13 Australian Sports Commission, Op Cit.
14 Frontier Economics, The economic contribution of sport to
Australia, January, 2010, http://www.frontier-economics.com.au/
news/economic-contribution-sport-australia/
15 Ibid.
16 D. Mackellar, ‘My Country’, first published 1911.
17 Climate Council, Angry Summer 2013/2014, March 10, 2014,
http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/angry-summer
18 Ibid.
19 Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, State of the Climate 2014,
2014, http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/
State-of-the-Climate-2014.aspx
20 Bureau of Meteorology, 'Annual Climate Statement 2014', January
6, 2015, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/aus/
21 S. Lewis and S. Perkins, ‘Human hands are all over Australia’s
hottest ever year’, The Conversation, September 30, 2014, https://
theconversation.com/human-hands-are-all-over-australias-hottestever-year-32267
22 Bureau of Meteorology, 'Annual Climate Statement 2014', Op. Cit.
• 31
23 Bureau of Meteorology, ‘Australia in spring 2014’, December
1, 2014, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/aus/
summary.shtml
24 L. Hughes and T. McMichael, The Critical Decade: Climate Change
and Health, Climate Commission, November, 2011, https://www.
climatecouncil.org.au/commission-climate-change-and-health
25 Ibid.
26 T.R. Knutson, ‘Multimodel assessment of extreme annual-mean
warm anomalies during 2013 over regions of Australia and the
western tropical Pacific’, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. 95 (9): S26-S30,
2014.
27 S. Lewis and D. Karoly, ‘The role of anthropogenic forcing in the
record 2013 Australia-wide annual and spring temperatures’, Bull.
Amer. Meteor. Soc. 95 (9): S31-S34, 2014.
28 S. Perkins et al, ‘Increased simulated risk of the hot Australian
summer of 2012/13 due to anthropogenic activity as measured by
heat wave frequency and intensity’, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. 95 (9):
S34-S37, 2014.
29 J.M. Arblaster et al, ‘Understanding Australia’s hottest September
on record’, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. 95 (9): S37-S41, 2014.
30 A.D. King et al, ‘Climate change turns Australia's 2013 big dry into
a year of record-breaking heat’, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. 95 (9):
S41-S45, 2014.
31 Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Annual Climate Summary 2011,
2012, http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/annual_sum/2011/index.
shtml
32 Department of Infrastructure and Transport, State of Australian
Cities 2013, Australian Government, July, 2013, http://www.
infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/pab/soac/
40 Ibid.
41 R. Tucker, ‘Melting in Melbourne: Thoughts on the heat’, January
16, 2014, http://sportsscientists.com/2014/01/melting-inmelbourne-quick-thoughts-on-the-heat/
42 D. Green, ‘How heat can make your body melt down from
the inside out’, The Conversation, January 16, 2014, http://
theconversation.com/how-heat-can-make-your-body-melt-downfrom-the-inside-out-22042
43 NSW Government, ‘Beat the Heat’, November 29, 2012, http://
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/Pages/default.
aspx
44 Government of South Australia, ‘Stay healthy in the heat’, http://
www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/
sa+health+internet/healthy+living/protecting+your+health/
stay+healthy+in+the+heat/
45 CFMEU, ‘35° C, That’s Enough - CFMEU hot weather policy’,
January 21, 2013, http://www.cfmeuvic.com.au/news/35%C2%B0c-that%E2%80%99s-enough-cfmeu-hot-weather-policy
46 Perkins et al, Op. Cit.
47 R. Lovell, ‘Footballers can’t stand the heat? No sweat – just
fix the fixtures’, The Conversation, November 21, 2013, http://
theconversation.com/footballers-cant-stand-the-heat-no-sweatjust-fix-the-fixtures-20473
48 S. Sherwood et al, ‘Heat Stress in a Warming World’, December,
2010, http://www.australasianscience.com.au/article/issuedecember-2010/heat-stress-warming-world.html
33 Ibid.
49 Tennis Australia, ‘Fine summer ahead for tennis fans’, December
2, 2014, http://www.tennis.com.au/news/2014/12/02/fine-summerahead-for-tennis-fans
34 L. Delworth and F. Zeng, ‘Regional rainfall decline in Australia
attributed to anthropogenic greenhouse gases and ozone levels’,
Nature Geoscience 7: 583-587, 2014, doi:10.1038/ngeo2201.
50 B. Guthrie, ‘Buckley calls for action on heat policy’, AFL, February
18, 2013, http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-18/act-on-heatbuckley
35 State of Queensland, Increasing Queensland’s resilience to inland
flooding in a changing climate: Final Report of the Inland Flooding
Study, 2010, www.ehp.qld.gov.au/climatechange/pdf/inland-floodstudy.pdf
51 R. Gould, ‘Melbourne Storm turn up heat for new rule’, The Daily
Telegraph, March 15, 2013, http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-turns-up-heat-for-new-rule/storye6frexnr-1226597601026
36 K.J. Bormann, ‘Satellite based observations for seasonal snow
cover detection and characterisation in Australia’, Remote Sensing
of Environment, 123: 57-71, 2012, doi:10.1016/j.rse.2012.03.003.
52 B. Elborough, ‘Perth Glory couch Alistair Edwards blasts
A-League’s heat policy’, Sydney Morning Herald, November 17,
2013, http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/perth-glory-coachalistair-edwards-blasts-aleagues-heat-policy-20131116-2xo4r.html
37 A.J. Dowdy et al, 'Fewer large waves projected for eastern
Australia due to decreasing storminess', Nature Climate Change
4:283-286, 2014, doi:10.1038/nclimate2142
38 CSIRO, ‘Projections of days over 35°C to 2100 for all capital cities
under a no-mitigation case’, 2008, http://www.garnautreview.org.
au/pdf/Garnaut_Chapter5.pdf.
39 L. Hanna, ‘It’s time for Australia to change its attitude to extreme
heat’, The Conversation, January 21, 2014, http://theconversation.
com/its-time-for-australia-to-change-its-attitude-to-extremeheat-22164
53 R. Homfray, ‘St Kilda coach Scott Watters wants a review of heat
policy after scorching start to AFL's NAB Cup’, Fox Footy, February
18, 2013, http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/news/st-kilda-coachscott-watters-wants-a-review-of-heat-policy-after-scorching-startto-afls-nab-cup/story-e6frf3el-1226580049660?nk=9bbb415ee5c
55ef61cd3b98da452d5d6
54 Guthrie, Op Cit.
55 AFL, National Extreme Weather Policy, June, 2013, http://www.
afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Schedule%207%20
-%20National%20Extreme%20Weather%20Policy.pdf
56 SANFL, SANFL Heat Policy, http://sanfl.com.au/community_
engagement/policies/heat_policy/
57 R. Guinness, ‘Tour Down Under chiefs set to cancel stage one if
fire threat continues’, January 19, 2014, http://www.smh.com.au/
sport/cycling/tour-down-under-chiefs-set-to-cancel-stage-one-iffire-threat-continues-20140118-311kt.html
58 Cycling South Australia, Hot Weather Policy, July 14, 2010, http://
sa.cycling.org.au/Portals/15/PDF's/0005%20Hot%20Weather%20
Policy%202010.pdf
59 AFL, Op. Cit.
60 AFL, Football in Extreme Conditions: Guidelines for Prevention of
Heat Injury, http://www.aflcommunityclub.com.au/fileadmin/user_
upload/Manage_Your_Club/3._Club_Management_Program/1._
Club_Policies___Guidelines/heat_policy.PDF
61 SANFL, Op. Cit.
62 WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country, Heat/Cold Policy, February 1,
2007, http://www.aflvic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/AFLVictoria-Country-Heat-and-Cold-Policy.pdf
63 International Cricket Council, ‘Rules and Regulations’, http://www.
icc-cricket.com/about/91/rules-and-regulations/overview
64 Ibid.
65 Cricket Australia, ‘Rules and Regulations’, http://www.
cricketaustralia.com.au/cricket/rules-and-regulations
66 Cricket South Australia, SACA Heat Policy, http://www.cricketsa.
com.au/library/SACA%20HEAT%20POLICY.pdf
67 Cricket Victoria, Cricket Victoria Extreme Heat Guidelines, http://
www.cricketvictoria.com.au/files/pages/laws-and-policies/Cricket_
Victoria_Extreme_Heat_Guidelines.pdf
68 Cycling South Australia, Op. Cit.
69 Cycling Victoria, Extreme Weather Policy and Guidelines,
http://www.vic.cycling.org.au/Portals/17/Policies/Extreme%20
Weather%20Policy%20and%20Guidelines.pdf
70 Tennis Australia, Extreme Weather Policy, September, 2014, http://
www.tennis.com.au/vic/files/2013/12/TA-Extreme-Weather-policy.
pdf
71 Ibid.
72 A. McPherson, ‘Slushy Sochi: Warm weather shows challenges of
subtropical snowmaking’, National Geographic, February 14, 2014,
http://news.nationalgeographic.com.au/news/2014/02/140214snow-conditions-melt-sochi-olympics/
73 Protect Our Winters, ‘US ski team member Andrew Newell & 105
Winter Olympians call for climate action’, February 10, 2014, http://
protectourwinters.org/newell-2890
74 S. Paxinos, ‘Coach raises concerns for players as heat is turned
up and opposition opts to play on’, March 11, 2013, http://www.
smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/coach-raises-concernsfor-players-as-heat-is-turned-up-and-opposition-opts-to-play-on20130310-2fu75.html
• 32
NOTES
75 Elborough, Op Cit.
76 Ibid.
77 P. Newman, ‘Australian Open 2014: Dizziness, cramp and fatigue
as heat stops play at last - with Jamie Murray among the worst
affected’, January 16, 2014, http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/
tennis/australian-open-2014-dizziness-cramp-and-fatigue-asheat-stops-play-at-last--with-jamie-murray-among-the-worstaffected-9065291.html
78 R. Earle, ‘Australia’s heat strategy in UAE to feature laser urine
tests, funky icy poles’, The Advertiser, October 14, 2014, http://
www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/cricket/australias-heat-strategyin-uae-to-feature-laser-urine-tests-funky-icy-poles/storyfnii0bxe-1227090110975
79 A. Wills, 'It's Hot as Hell in Australia Right Now', Mashable
Australia, January 15, 2014, http://mashable.com/2014/01/14/
australia-heatwave-photos/
80 G. Bishop, ‘At the Australian Open, it’s not the heat, it’s the
stupidity’, The New York Times, January 17, 2014, http://www.
nytimes.com/2014/01/18/sports/tennis/players-are-not-cool-withaustralian-open-heat-policy.html?_r=0
81 Newman, Op. Cit.
82 K. Hagan et al, ‘More than 1000 tennis fans treatedfor heat
exhaustion’, The Age, January 16, 2014, http://www.theage.
com.au/victoria/more-than-1000-tennis-fans-treated-for-heatexhaustion-20140116-30xba.html
83 Tennis Australia, ‘AO 2014: The final word’, January 27, 2014,
http://www.tennis.com.au/news/2014/01/27/ao-2014-the-final-word
92 Metricon Stadium, ‘Metricon Stadium & The Environment’, http://
www.metriconstadium.com.au/the-stadium/metricon-stadiumand-the-environment/
93 State Government Victoria, ‘Melbourne Park Redevelopment’,
http://www.majorprojects.vic.gov.au/project/melbourne-parkredevelopment/
94 State Government Victoria, ‘New water recycling system to reduce
Melbourne Park’s water use’, October 19, 2011, http://www.
majorprojects.vic.gov.au/new-water-recycling-system-to-reducemelbourne-parks-water-use/
95 Etihad Stadium, ‘Design & Stadium Information’, http://www.
etihadstadium.com.au/about/design-stadium-information
96 MCG, ‘Sustainability hits a six at home of sport’, November 18,
2014, http://authoring.mcc.org.au/sitecore/content/MCG/Website/
News/News/2014/November/Energy%20Efficiency%20Upgrade.
aspx
97 Municipal Association of Victoria, Strategies for Managing Sports
Surfaces in a Drier Climate: Key Findings, 2007.
98 G. Dingle, ‘Climate change and sport in Australia’, La Trobe
University (video used as a teaching material).
99 S. Coverdale, Municipal Association of Victoria- Sports Surfaces
Task Force: Strategies for Managing Sports Surfaces in a Drier
Climate, July, 2007
100 AFL and Cricket Australia, ‘Synthetic Turf Program’, http://www.
aflcommunityclub.com.au/fileadmin/user_upload/Play_AFL/
Multicultural/AFL_CA_Synthetic_Turf_Program_Brochure.pdf
101The Climate Institute, Q+A: Ricky Bell, 2015.
84 Tennis Australia, ‘Australian Open 2013 – The final word’, January
28, 2013, http://www.tennis.com.au/news/2013/01/28/australianopen-2013-the-final-word
102 Ibid.
85 J. Stensholt, ‘Tennis Australia feels the heat from slow ticket sales
at Open’, The Australian Financial Review, January 20, 2014, http://
www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/sport/tennis_australia_feels_the_heat_
vUMDisJInb2zRZksxvzHiL
104S. Small, ‘End of Australian snow in sight’, Griffith News,
September 5, 2012, https://app.griffith.edu.au/news/2012/09/05/
end-of-australian-snow-in-sight/
86 A. Carey et al, ‘Heatwave chaos: More of the same as trains, trams
go into meltdown’, The Age, January 17, 2014, http://www.theage.
com.au/victoria/heatwave-chaos-more-of-the-same-as-trainstrams-go-into-meltdown-20140116-30xt7.html
87 J. Medew, ‘Deaths spark call to review state’s heatwave plan’, The
Age, January 23, 2014, http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/deathsspark-call-to-review-states-heatwave-plan-20140122-3196i.
html#ixzz3JBvcweUY
88 Suncorp Stadium, ‘Final siren sounds on Suncorp Stadium flood
refurbishment’, http://www.suncorpstadium.com.au/News/Final_
Siren_Sounds_Flood_Refurbishment.aspx
103 Ibid.
105G.L. Worboys and R.B. Good, Caring For Our Australian Alps
Catchments: Summary Report For Policy Makers, Department of
Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, 2011.
106 National Institute of Economic and Industry Research, The
Economic Significance of the Australian Alpine Resorts, December,
2012, http://www.arcc.vic.gov.au/assets/Uploads/research/2011EconomicSignificanceStudy-FullReport.pdf
107 C. Hackworth, interview with Cameron Wilson, Bush Telegraph,
ABC Radio National, October 16, 2013, http://www.abc.net.au/
radionational/programs/bushtelegraph/alpine-tourism/5023908
108 Worboys and Good, Op. Cit.
109 Protect Our Winters, Op Cit.
89 Suncorp Stadium, ‘Environment’, http://www.suncorpstadium.
com.au/The_Stadium/Environment.aspx
110 The Climate Institute, Q+A: Ricky Bell, 2015.
90 Suncorp Stadium, ‘Final siren sounds on Suncorp Stadium flood
refurbishment’, Op Cit.
111 C. Morrison and C. Pickering, ‘Limits to climate change adaptation:
Case study of the Australian alps’, Geographical Research 51 (1):
11-25, 2013, doi: 10.1111/j.1745-5871.2012.00758.x
91 Suncorp Stadium, ‘Environment’, Op Cit.
112 NSW Government, ‘AdaptNSW’, Op. Cit.
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